The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode Title: Hour 3 - Can America Lead in AI?
Date: March 30, 2026
Host: Clay Travis (Buck Sexton out for sponsor meetings)
Special Guest: Kelly Loeffler (Head of the Small Business Administration, Trump administration)

Overview

This episode centers on two pivotal topics: the evolving global crisis with Iran, including the possibility of U.S. military action to seize Iranian uranium, and a special in-studio interview with Kelly Loeffler, head of the SBA, discussing the state of American small business, economic growth, fraud, and the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive U.S. leadership and prosperity. The show also touches on media bias, the importance of messaging, and policies impacting farming and women’s sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Media Coverage and Political Accountability

• Segment: [01:20–07:26]
• Clay discusses the murder of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old in Chicago, and the lack of media coverage attributed to the suspect’s immigration status.
• Caroline Levitt at the White House press briefing sharply criticizes legacy media for minimizing such stories, arguing it exemplifies why President Trump pushes for stronger deportation policies.
• Quote:

  "I think her life was worth more than 23 seconds on cable television. And I think the people in this room have a responsibility to report on cases like this."
  — Caroline Levitt [04:45]

2. U.S.-Iran Negotiations and Military Options

• Segment: [06:31–13:20]
• Caroline Levitt reiterates the administration’s tough stance on Iran, with clarity around holding the regime accountable and the possibility of military consequences if promises are broken.
• Clay reads from a Wall Street Journal report on the scenario of a U.S. military raid to seize Iranian uranium, comparing it to a "Hollywood or TV script."
• Clay speculates on President Trump's worldview, suggesting he seeks dramatic, “cinematic” foreign policy victories.
• Notable discussion on challenges of knowing who truly holds power within Iran and the implications for negotiation.
• Quote:

  "If they are not, the president has laid out the military consequences that the Iranian regime will see... this is another historic opportunity for Iran to do the right thing to rid themselves of their nuclear ambitions."
  — Caroline Levitt [06:31]

• Quote:

  “What would the impact be of seizing the uranium and proving once and for all that Iran was in the process of actually trying to go out and gain these nuclear weapons?”
  — Clay Travis [08:32]

3. In-Studio Interview: Kelly Loeffler on Small Business, Fraud, and AI

• Segment: [14:31–34:17]
• First in-studio guest in the new Nashville studio; focus on U.S. small business climate, economic growth, anti-fraud efforts, and embracing new technologies.

Small Business Growth and Economic Policy

• Kelly highlights record growth in manufacturing and credits Trump administration policies: tax cuts, 100% expensing, and deregulation.
• Quote:

  “Small business is the backbone of our nation and President Trump knows that. He always says small business is big business.”
  — Kelly Loeffler [15:25]

• 100% expensing allows small businesses to immediately write off the cost of equipment or R&D, freeing up cash flow for expansion and job creation.

Anti-Fraud Efforts

• Discussion of massive pandemic-era fraud ($200 billion at the SBA alone), the establishment of a new task force led by VP Vance, and an emphasis on prosecuting offenders and instituting deterrence.
• Quote:

  "At the SBA, we found $200 billion of COVID era fraud that the Biden administration either tried to forgive or sweep under the rug."
  — Kelly Loeffler [18:27]

• Steps taken: suspending fraudulent borrowers, banning foreign nationals from SBA loans, and cooperation with other agencies.

Blue States and Systemic Fraud

• Particular scrutiny of California and Minnesota, pointing to large-scale fraud tied to liberal policies.
• Quote:

  “We suspended 111,000 borrowers in [California] that had committed upwards of $10 billion worth of fraud.”
  — Kelly Loeffler [21:47]

SBA Disaster Loans and Sole Proprietors

• Outlines difference between FEMA and SBA in disaster relief for home-based businesses.
• 60% of SBA lending now directed at businesses with five or fewer employees; explosion of “solopreneurs” anticipated due to AI.

U.S. Leadership in AI & Innovation

• Kelly expresses optimism about AI, stating it’s vital to U.S. economic competitiveness—especially for small business and manufacturing resurgence.
• Quote:

  “I'm incredibly optimistic now that President Trump is ensuring that America leads in AI. Just imagine if China were leading in AI. This is table stakes for us to compete internationally and defend our national security.”
  — Kelly Loeffler [26:32]

Messaging Challenges in the Face of Media Negativity

• Addresses the challenge of getting positive administration messages out amidst legacy media skepticism.
• Emphasizes direct outreach, local media, podcasts, and a president “uniquely capable of communicating with the American people.”
• Quote:

  “The American people know they're being lied to by the legacy media... that's why I spend most of my time on the road, meeting with hardworking Americans.”
  — Kelly Loeffler [28:15]

Farming Policy and Inheritance/Estate Tax

• Trump administration praised for supporting family farms, reversing “green” policies deemed burdensome, and eliminating the estate tax (death tax) for small businesses and family farms.
• Quote:

  “This is really confiscation when you think about the onerous tax... this is truly transformative for farming, for small businesses to be able to ensure those generational businesses make our Main streets work.”
  — Kelly Loeffler [31:41]

Women’s Sports and Current Events

• On the Olympic Committee’s recent policy on trans athletes: Kelly touts her early Senate advocacy for protecting girls' sports, credits Trump for making it a centerpiece issue.
• Shares her enthusiasm for March Madness (Illinois alum), referencing her attention to sports policy and fandom.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Caroline Levitt: “I think her life was worth more than 23 seconds on cable television.” [04:45]
• Caroline Levitt: "Anything that they say to us privately will be tested... if they are not, the president has laid out the military consequences." [06:31]
• Kelly Loeffler: “Small business is the backbone of our nation and President Trump knows that.” [15:25]
• Kelly Loeffler: “We suspended 111,000 borrowers in [California] that had committed upwards of $10 billion worth of fraud.” [21:47]
• Kelly Loeffler: “I'm incredibly optimistic now that President Trump is ensuring that America leads in AI.” [26:32]
• Kelly Loeffler: “This is what Democrats do. They tax and spend and confiscate hardworking Americans, the sweat of their brow.” [32:43]
• Kelly Loeffler: “I was the first US senator in history to introduce protecting girls sports in 2020 on the Senate floor.” [33:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:20–07:26] — News round-up, Iran negotiations, media bias, White House press briefing
• [14:31–34:17] — Kelly Loeffler interview: small business climate, fraud, AI, policies on farming and sports

Tone and Language

The tone throughout is conversational, direct, and unabashedly supportive of the Trump administration’s policies. Clay combines seriousness (national security, fraud) with humor (sports banter, mocking liberal protests). Kelly Loeffler maintains a can-do, pro-business and patriotic energy, blending policy details with personal anecdotes.

Summary for Listeners

For those not tuned in: this episode discusses America’s role in AI and global affairs, details stepped-up anti-fraud efforts at the SBA, and emphasizes bold pro-business and pro-farmer reforms being rolled out. Notable is the strong optimism shared by Kelly Loeffler that AI will help America lead in economic innovation—arming small businesses to thrive. The episode features candid critique of legacy media and Democratic policies, as well as light-hearted exchanges on sports and cultural issues.

Listeners get both policy depth and the show’s trademark punchy commentary, making it accessible for both news hounds and casual radio fans.